Client-Side Processing Client-side processing uses the clients computer to process web page data in data exchange. Client-side processing is where the interactivity on a web page is downloaded and processed using the client’s processor. The code which makes this possible is a scripting language (web scripts). Web scripts are included in the code of the web page and run when the page is loaded into the user’s browser. In client-side processing it matters which browser the user is using, because this will affect how the scrip is understood by the computer and shown on the screen.

An example is a rollover image on a web page which changes when a user hovers their mouse over it. This is processed on the client’s computer because the web page has downloaded to their machine. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Speed – faster because the data is on the client and does not need to move across the internet. Browser-specific – different browsers process scripts in different ways, therefore the web page owner cannot be sure how their web page will appear on screen. Security – data cannot be intercepted on the client in the way it can when it moves cross the internet. Computer speed – the web page owner is reliant on the processor speed of the client’s computer; so if this is slow then the processing will be slow.

Server-Side Processing Server-side processing uses the web server to process web page data. Server-side processing is where the interactivity on a web page is processed on the web server. The code which makes this possible is a scripting language (web scripts). In server-side processing it does not matter which browser the user is using because the processing is done on the web server.

An example is a form completed online which is filled in by the user then submitted to the server where the results are processed and stored. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Efficiency – the information to process does not need to be downloaded to the client’s computer. Security – when data is transferred across the internet it is more at risk of security threats. Browser independent – it does not matter which browser the user has as the work is done separately on the server. Overloading – if a lot of users are asking the web server to process data, it could overload the server and cause it to run slowly or crash Speed – the processing occurs on the web server, which is likely to be more powerful than a client’s computer.

Explain what server-side processing is. 1. Identify which one of these processes is more likely to occur on the client’s processor. A Mini game B Login form C Paying by credit card D Web page Describe one reason a web page may use client-side processing for a clock on their website. Explain what server-side processing is. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this type of data exchange. Identify which of these statements are about client-side processing and which are about server-side processing. Processing happens on the users device. A: Client B: Server Processing happens on the web server. A: Client B: Server The web page appears the same no matter what browser the user is using. A: Client B: Server There is less change of interference by hackers as data is not moving across the internet. A: Client B: Server The processor may run slowly if too many users are accessing it at the same time. A: Client B: Server The web page is downloaded before it is processed. A: Client B: Server